Thursday, December 2, 2010

I have Lyme Disease.

Yep. So basically, from our first appointment we knew it could be transmitted to me from Clay. We didn't tell anyone really because if I didn't have it, we didn't want to worry anyone. But, I did get tested and we just found out yesterday morning that I do infact have Lyme Disease.

I've had symptoms for the past like...6 months probably. I've tried to convince myself that I just need to go to the chiropractor, or just have a lot of stress or something...but the first symptom I can clearly remember is when I was trying to do this exercise tape and I had to jump up for it, and my hip KILLED! Like, I seriously couldn't do it. It hurt so bad and so I had to stop. I tried again the next day and same thing happened. Then I started noticing my joints would just randomly hurt. The other thing is, I get exhausted REALLY easy. Like, I noticed it a lot at our family reunion last weekend- when I saw most of my sisters doing lots of things and not looking tired or anything. I would make my apple pies and feel SOOO tired afterward. I am not nearly at the level Clay is at. It is clear that this is early on for me-therefore not as bad. Which thank goodness we are getting it now rather than 5 years from now when I'd be in bad shape!

Our doctor suspected I had it, and said that it will be a LOT easier to get rid of. It's hard to explain but basically it sounds like when you get Lyme disease from a tick, it's like it's pure form and a LOT stronger and smarter and harder to kill. But if you get it the way I did, it's like I got a portion of it that is weaker and easier to kill. Also, because Clay got his from a tick, it multiplies and grows quickly- mine not so quick. So she said it SHOULD be a lot quicker and simpler to cure me. So that's good news. But we'll find out a bunch more after I get all the blood work and testing done so she can see what shape my body is in.

I tell ya, this Lyme disease is just killer. I wish so badly that people were more educated about it. The medical field in Idaho and Utah don't believe Lyme disease exists in this area. THEY ARE WRONG! Our doctor has so many patients from Idaho and Utah and it's just so silly to think that it doesn't exist. And just the mere fact that this disease can be transmitted sexually, shows that it can be ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!

I was very proud to be a Mormon this week. Our doctor was talking about how important it is to have a good support system, and she said, "You live where there are lots of mormons right?" and we said yes. And she said, "That's good. Mormons are so nice. They are really there for eachother. Every mormon I've met is so nice and it seems like mormons are so into families and helping eachother. It's good for a lyme patient." haha! It's true though. Our families have been so supportive and so sweet and kind. It is so nice.

Clay and I talked about how Heavenly Father is with us always. Through this big trial in our lives we see soooooooo many blessings. We talked about that poem "Footprints"- where there are two sets of footprints, one a man's, one the Lord's, and then they turn into one set of foot prints...when the man wondered why the Lord left him by himself, he realized that the Lord was carrying him. We feel that is the case in our life right now. I can't really believe how blessed we've been. I'm so grateful. It makes it easier to bear this trial.

24 days till Christmas! YES!

14 comments:

Sarah Peterson said...

oh no Danielle! That is awful. I don't know much about lyme disease at all. I hope you guys are all better soon! I'll keep you in my prayers!

AMY AND MIKEY said...

love you love you love you. You will be amazed at how Heavenly Father will carry you through this, the patience you will gain, and deep compassion you will be given, and the enduring attitude needed to get through it. You and Clay are going to be a power couple after this. I love you

HeidiT said...

Wow, I did not see that one coming. I had only heard of it being transmitted by ticks. I am so sorry, you will be in my prayers. What a blessing that you found a great doctor who knew to test you too so that you could start treating it right away. Hugs!

Jenni said...

dang danielle. I am so sorry. I had no idea it could be transmitted. I am so sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well. It sounds awful. I am SO thankful for the great doctor you guys have and I am certain that you'll be taken care of.

love you!!

The Congers said...

Wow busy couple of days and a lot to take in huh? Well we pray for you guys and really hope your bodies can get feeling better soon. And like you said at least it is Christmas time so that makes everything better right?

Emily said...

Ah man Danielle, that really stinks! I'm so sorry, it sounds painful and hard. I really hope you get feeling better soon and I'm so glad you guys found a great DR to help, I bet that makes all the difference. I think it's cool that you are both able to support each other in this, but so sorry that you BOTH have it. I'll be thinking of ya!

Love you!

Flints said...

oh my heck that is crazy! yeah we have to get together now we are all home and hang out. you guys just have so many new things going on in your life i cant even keep up. but we have missed you and hope all goes well till we see ya soon!

Megan and Greg said...

I love you.

Sharon/Mom/ Grandma said...

good blog. You and Clay are so amazing, most people would be feeling sorry for themselves, but not you and Clay, you look at all the blessings you have. I am so grateful you are so righteous so Heavenly Father could bless you and help you find this doctor. I love you!!!

Chad and Jessica said...

That's the pits! I'm so sorry....gosh...you SOOOOO don't deserve this. You are amazing. I'm so glad that you have found such great doctors who don't "ignore" lyme disease. Our prayers are with you both.

Aliese the Writer said...

Danielle and Clay I am so so so sorry! I feel so bad. It must be really hard. What you said about lyme patients in Utah, my step mom has a neighbor that has lyme disease. The whole family, and they are going to the same doctor as you. We are all praying for you and we all love you both very very very much. :)

Amy said...

:( I am glad that you found such a good doctor! I hope things get better. I'll keep you both in my prayers!

Kristi M. said...

Wow! I had no idea that it could be transmitted that way. I am so glad that you are sharing this information. I feel that I have been educated along the way on something that I didn't know much about. I will pray and do think of you often. I can't even put myself in your situation. I love your great attitude.

Natalie | Mrs. Janney | said...

I got Lyme Disease about a year and a half ago from a tick (I didn't even notice the tick, just the bites). Thankfully I got the nasty target rash, so the doctor at Urgent Care was able to diagnose it really early. I still had the exhaustion and some of the other side effects from it though. Lyme Disease totally stinks!!


People really don't know much about Lyme Disease. My primary doctor still doesn't believe that I had it even though the Urgent Care doctor was absolutely positive that I did.


I am praying for your and your husband!! I hope you have a speedy recovery and your side effects go away soon!